Is He Really the Main Man? You're Joking!

With the departure of Kylian Mbappe, PSG has been actively bolstering their squad, with Victor Osimhen, a former Serie A top scorer, being a prime target. However, former big-money signings Gonçalo Ramos and Randal Kolo Muani don't seem to have the qualities to lead the team. Ramos only scored 14 goals in 40 matches last season, and Muani managed just 12 goals in 44 games.

In comparison, Ousmane Dembele, with 6 goals and 13 assists in 42 games, might seem better statistically, but he's in the same boat as the other two. Few believe he can be PSG's main man. Especially after Mbappe's exit, Dembele now holds the highest salary in Ligue 1 at €20 million per year, making him a prime target for criticism if things go south.

Last summer, PSG activated Dembele's release clause from Barcelona for €50.4 million, which seemed like a bargain considering Barcelona initially paid €135 million for the Frenchman. Dembele expressed his love for his hometown and emphasized his admiration for PSG coach Luis Enrique's attacking style: "He likes to play attacking football, which is perfect for me." Enrique reciprocated, saying, "Watching Dembele play is a joy."

Mutual admiration, however, doesn't guarantee success. In his first seven matches for PSG, Dembele failed to score, earning him the nickname "007" and early skepticism. The harsh question was whether Dembele, who couldn't fill Neymar's shoes at Barcelona, could now step up and be Mbappe's right-hand man at PSG. The responsibility of the number 10 jersey seemed overwhelming initially.

A five-year contract can be both a trial and an opportunity. With Mbappe acting as a mentor, Dembele gradually found his rhythm, assisting on his 46th day at the club and scoring his first goal on his 106th day. Though it took time, Dembele began to redeem himself.

In the Champions League group stage against Newcastle, Dembele won a crucial penalty in stoppage time, preventing a home loss. In the French Super Cup final against Toulouse, he provided a lightning assist, leading PSG to victory. In the French Cup final against Lyon, he scored, reliving the joy of winning a title. His most notable performance came in the Champions League quarter-finals against Barcelona, scoring in both legs and becoming the eighth player in history to score against his former club in both legs of a knockout tie.

While at Barcelona, Xavi almost treated Dembele like a son. However, Dembele's over-the-top celebration after eliminating his former club exposed his low emotional intelligence, earning him labels like "traitor." From PSG's perspective, they felt they had made a wise investment, proudly posting Dembele's celebratory photos on their website. Finding his rhythm, Dembele seemed to have found a new home, after years of being an injury-prone, overpaid player at Barcelona.

Despite a 19-game goal drought, Dembele's return to Ligue 1 has been smooth, earning a spot in the Ligue 1 Team of the Season and sharing the top assists spot. The media even dug up Mbappe's 2018 quote: "I think Dembele is the best young player in the world." Backed by PSG's dominance in Ligue 1, Dembele indeed enjoys the comfort and advantages of being under the wing of a top club.

Emotion is a special mirror. Even on the bench, Dembele is often seen laughing, a stark contrast to his time at Barcelona. His comment, "Playing for PSG is a destiny," explains his motivation. It's worth noting that last season Dembele made 42 appearances for PSG, the last time he played that many games was in the 2020-21 season, marking a harmonious reunion with PSG.

Enrique, a fan of Dembele, found a way to alleviate pressure, even elevating his image: "Dembele is undoubtedly one of the most destructive players in the world." This is a contentious statement, especially since Dembele didn't continue his form in the European Championship this summer. In group stage matches against Austria and the Netherlands, Dembele was almost invisible.

Interestingly, Dembele seems to perform better when under pressure. In the quarter-final against Portugal, coming off the bench, he completed six successful dribbles, delivered six key passes, hit the post once, and scored France's first penalty in the shootout, earning the Man of the Match award. This inconsistent performance highlights Dembele's unpredictable nature, indicating he might not be PSG's reliable main man on the grand stage.

"When he loses control of his emotions, his teammates can only watch like spectators," said Sampaoli recently about Dembele. While not everyone agrees with this, Dembele has indeed caused PSG some headaches. For instance, he received three yellow cards in the Champions League group stage last season without scoring, and in the semi-final against Dortmund, he missed an easy chance.

If PSG's ambition is limited to dominating Ligue 1, they have enough talent. However, aiming higher in the Champions League requires a reliable leader. Post-Mbappe, PSG is still searching for that cornerstone. With a €20 million salary, Dembele faces new challenges this season. This could be both a motivation and a pressure, potentially turning his declaration, "Playing for PSG is a destiny," into a joke. Let's hope his smile remains a regular feature on PSG's official website.